184 ON THE ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY 
dia, which here separate, and flow in opposite directions ; on 
one side, the Indus, with its tributary the Ladauk ; on the 
other, the Sanpoo, or Barrumpooter, both of which, at the 
highest point to which they have been traced, are already large 
streams, that have evidently flowed from a great distance. It 
is well known to those who are accustomed to such researches, 
that the point at which great rivers thus rise and separate, is 
always the most elevated of any region. The proof from ana- 
logy is therefore so strong, as to render perhaps any other ar- 
gument superfluous. But if we collect the slender notices that 
exist, this feature will not be found wholly destitute, even of 
modern testimony. The little we know relative to.Great Thi- 
bet, is chiefly derived from Dunatpr’s report of the mission of 
two Lamas from the court of China. ‘Their object was, to. 
make a map of that region, and to ascertain the sources of the 
Ganges. On their return they stated, that there was a great 
chain of mountains separating Great from Little Thibet; that 
from one side of this chain descended the Barrumpooter, and 
from the other, which they did not visit, the Ganges, with the 
Ladauk falling into it. It is now certain, that they were mis- 
taken as to the Ganges; but I think it probable, that what 
they supposed to be that river, was really the Indus; be- 
cause Mr Expminsrone’s map exhibits the Indus holding the 
same course along the table land of Thibet, and receiving the: 
Ladauk in the very same manner that they understoéd. the 
Ganges to do. We have therefore the testimony of these per- 
sons, that there exists a great chain of mountains in the very 
quarter, and running in the very direction, indicated by Protemy. 
In 1725, the missionaries Desiperr and Freyre made the 
journey from Cashmire to Ladauk *.. They describe it to be 
a 
* Lettres Edifiantes, vol. xi. 
